System and method for switching between an instant messaging conversation and a game in progress

ABSTRACT

A system and method are provided for enabling a game to be played on an electronic device, comprising: enabling a game application on the electronic device to utilize a contact list for an instant messaging application, during a game in progress with a particular contact in the contact list, preparing game messages to be sent to the particular contact by including game progress data, communicating at least one game message during the game in progress with the particular contact using an instant messaging system used by the instant messaging application; displaying at least one instant message in an instant messaging conversation user interface; and displaying a game in progress user interface associated with the game play, after detecting a selection in the instant messaging conversation user interface to switch to the game in progress.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/537,047 filed on Sep. 29, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,175, herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to a user interface for a messagingapplication and more particularly for a method and apparatus for usingan IM contact list entry as a game in progress designate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Communication devices such as personal computers, wireless mobiletelephones, personal data assistants, etc. often provide datacommunication abilities to users. One currently popular form of suchcommunication is Instant Messaging (IM) facilitated by an applicationhaving a graphical user interface (GUI) whereby two or more users ofdifferent communication devices can engage in a conversational datacommunication exchange.

To permit IM message exchanges, a user may invite another to agree toreceive IM messages and be included in the user's list of IM contacts(sometimes called an IM friend or buddy in view of the agreement to be apotential IM message recipient). The availability of the user orparticular contacts for conversations may be maintained in accordancewith respective presence information. To begin an IM conversation, auser selects a buddy represented by a contact list entry of a list ofcontacts and inputs a message. Additional contacts may be invited toengage in a group message, as desired. While IM messaging was originallydirected to text, newer protocols support file transports and voice overdata communications.

In addition to conducting conversations, an IM user may invite a buddyto engage in an on-line game where two (or more) players take turnsduring game play to compete against each other. Conventional board andcard games such as checkers or poker may be adapted for IM game playingfor example, among others. A game may be invoked via a game applicationinterface or from within an IM application providing an interface to agame application.

A user may play more than one game at a time or play a game in anon-linear manner, leaving a game interface to perform other tasks suchas email, calendar review, etc. Thus it is desirable to provide aninterface to games in progress.

A solution to one or more of these needs is therefore desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the subject matter may be readily understood, embodimentsare illustrated by way of examples in the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram which illustrates pertinent components of anexample wireless communication network and a mobile station whichcommunicates within this network;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed diagram of the mobile station which maycommunicate within the wireless communication network;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are representative GUI display views of an embodiment ofan IM application showing an IM contact list entry to designate a gamein progress;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are representative GUI display views of embodiments ofan IM application showing an IM conversation between game players for anIM application adapted to use an IM contact list entry to designate agame in progress;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are representative GUI display views of embodiments ofan IM game application showing IM conversation interfaces;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are representative GUI display views of furtherembodiments of an IM application adapted to use an IM contact list entryto designate a game in progress;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are representative GUI display views, in accordance withthe respective embodiments of FIGS. 7A and 7B, showing menu interfaces;

FIGS. 9A to 9C are flow charts showing operations for using an IMcontact list entry to designate a game in progress in a IM applicationin accordance with various embodiments; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a portion of memory showing components ofan IM application using an IM contact list entry to designate a game inprogress in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that teachingsherein are applicable to messages received via wired or wirelesscommunication and though a wireless communication device and networkincluding wireless communication capabilities are discussed in theexamples, no limitations should be imposed. There is provided a methodand apparatus for using a contact list entry of an IM contact listinterface to designate an IM game in progress to facilitate switchingbetween an IM conversation and an IM game.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system 100 which includes amobile station 102 which communicates through a wireless communicationnetwork 104. Mobile station 102 preferably includes a visual display112, a keyboard 114, and perhaps one or more auxiliary user interfaces(UI) 116, each of which is coupled to a controller 106. Controller 106is also coupled to radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 108 and anantenna 110.

Typically, controller 106 is embodied as a central processing unit (CPU)which runs operating system software in a memory component (not shown).Controller 106 will normally control overall operation of mobile station102, whereas signal processing operations associated with communicationfunctions are typically performed in RF transceiver circuitry 108.Controller 106 interfaces with device display 112 to display receivedinformation, stored information, user inputs, and the like. Keyboard114, which may be a telephone type keypad or full alphanumeric keyboard,is normally provided for entering data for storage in mobile station102, information for transmission to network 104, a telephone number toplace a telephone call, commands to be executed on mobile station 102,and possibly other or different user inputs.

Mobile station 102 sends communication signals to and receivescommunication signals from network 104 over a wireless link via antenna110. RF transceiver circuitry 108 performs functions similar to those ofa radio network (RN) 128, including for example modulation/demodulationand possibly encoding/decoding and encryption/decryption. It is alsocontemplated that RF transceiver circuitry 108 may perform certainfunctions in addition to those performed by RN 128. It will be apparentto those skilled in art that RF transceiver circuitry 108 will beadapted to particular wireless network or networks in which mobilestation 102 is intended to operate.

Mobile station 102 includes a battery interface 122 for receiving one ormore rechargeable batteries 124. Battery 124 provides electrical powerto electrical circuitry in mobile station 102, and battery interface 122provides for a mechanical and electrical connection for battery 124.Battery interface 122 is coupled to a regulator 126 which regulatespower to the device. When mobile station 102 is fully operational, an RFtransmitter of RF transceiver circuitry 108 is typically turned on onlywhen it is sending to network, and is otherwise turned off to conserveresources. Similarly, an RF receiver of RF transceiver circuitry 108 istypically periodically turned off to conserve power until it is neededto receive signals or information (if at all) during designated timeperiods.

Mobile station 102 operates using a memory module 120, such as aSubscriber Identity Module (SIM) or a Removable User Identity Module(R-UIM), which is connected to or inserted in mobile station 102 at aninterface 118. As an alternative to a SIM or an R-UIM, mobile station102 may operate based on configuration data programmed by a serviceprovider into an internal memory which is a non-volatile memory. Mobilestation 102 may consist of a single unit, such as a data communicationdevice, a cellular telephone, a multiple-function communication devicewith data and voice communication capabilities, a personal digitalassistant (PDA) enabled for wireless communication, or a computerincorporating an internal modem. Alternatively, mobile station 102 maybe a multiple-module unit comprising a plurality of separate components,including but in no way limited to a computer or other device connectedto a wireless modem. In particular, for example, in the mobile stationblock diagram of FIG. 1, RF transceiver circuitry 108 and antenna 110may be implemented as a radio modem unit that may be inserted into aport on a laptop computer. In this case, the laptop computer wouldinclude display 112, keyboard 114, and one or more auxiliary UIs 116,and controller 106 may remain within the radio modem unit thatcommunicates with the computer's CPU or be embodied as the computer'sCPU. It is also contemplated that a computer or other equipment notnormally capable of wireless communication may be adapted to connect toand effectively assume control of RF transceiver circuitry 108 andantenna 110 of a single-unit device such as one of those describedabove. Such a mobile station 102 may have a more particularimplementation as described later in relation to mobile station 202 ofFIG. 2.

Mobile station 102 communicates in and through wireless communicationnetwork 104. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, wireless network 104 is aThird Generation (3G) supported network based on Code Division MultipleAccess (CDMA) technologies. In particular, wireless network 104 is aCDMA2000 network which includes fixed network components coupled asshown in FIG. 1. Wireless network 104 of the CDMA2000-type includes aRadio Network (RN) 128, a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 130, a SignalingSystem 7 (SS7) network 140, a Home Location Register/AuthenticationCenter (HLR/AC) 138, a Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN) 132, an IPnetwork 134, and a Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS)server 136. SS7 network 140 is communicatively coupled to a network 142(such as a Public Switched Telephone Network or PSTN), whereas IPnetwork is communicatively coupled to a network 144 (such as theInternet). Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatother networks and associated topologies including GPRS, E-GPRS and UMTSradio networks, among many others, may be employed with the teachingsherein.

During operation, mobile station 102 communicates with RN 128 whichperforms functions such as call-setup, call processing, and mobilitymanagement. RN 128 includes a plurality of base station transceiversystems that provide wireless network coverage for a particular coveragearea commonly referred to as a “cell”. A given base station transceiversystem of RN 128, such as the one shown in FIG. 1, transmitscommunication signals to and receives communication signals from mobilestations within its cell. The base station transceiver system normallyperforms such functions as modulation and possibly encoding and/orencryption of signals to be transmitted to the mobile station inaccordance with particular, usually predetermined, communicationprotocols and parameters, under control of its controller. The basestation transceiver system similarly demodulates and possibly decodesand decrypts, if necessary, any communication signals received frommobile station 102 within its cell. Communication protocols andparameters may vary between different networks. For example, one networkmay employ a different modulation scheme and operate at differentfrequencies than other networks. The underlying services may also differbased on its particular protocol revision.

The wireless link shown in communication system 100 of FIG. 1 representsone or more different channels, typically different radio frequency (RF)channels, and associated protocols used between wireless network 104 andmobile station 102. An RF channel is a limited resource that must beconserved, typically due to limits in overall bandwidth and a limitedbattery power of mobile station 102. Those skilled in art willappreciate that a wireless network in actual practice may includehundreds of cells depending upon desired overall expanse of networkcoverage. All pertinent components may be connected by multiple switchesand routers (not shown), controlled by multiple network controllers.

For all mobile stations 102 registered with a network operator,permanent data (such as mobile station 102 user's profile) as well astemporary data (such as mobile station's 102 current location) arestored in a HLR/AC 138. In case of a voice call to mobile station 102,HLR/AC 138 is queried to determine the current location of mobilestation 102. A Visitor Location Register (VLR) of MSC 130 is responsiblefor a group of location areas and stores the data of those mobilestations that are currently in its area of responsibility. This includesparts of the permanent mobile station data that have been transmittedfrom HLR/AC 138 to the VLR for faster access. However, the VLR of MSC130 may also assign and store local data, such as temporaryidentifications. Mobile station 102 is also authenticated on systemaccess by HLR/AC 138. In order to provide packet data services to mobilestation 102 in a CDMA2000-based network, RN 128 communicates with PDSN132. PDSN 132 provides access to the Internet 144 (or intranets,Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) servers, etc.) through IP network134. PDSN 132 also provides foreign agent (FA) functionality in mobileIP networks as well as packet transport for virtual private networking.PDSN 132 has a range of IP addresses and performs IP address management,session maintenance, and optional caching. RADIUS server 136 isresponsible for performing functions related to authentication,authorization, and accounting (AAA) of packet data services, and may bereferred to as an AAA server.

Wireless communication network 104 also includes a Push-to-talk overCellular (PoC) server 137 which may be coupled to IP network 134. PoCserver 137 operates to facilitate PoC individual and group communicationsessions between mobile stations within network 104. A conventional PoCcommunication session involves a session connection between end users ofmobile stations, referred to as session “participants”, who communicateone at a time in a half-duplex manner much like conventionalwalkie-talkies or two-way radios.

Those skilled in art will appreciate that wireless network 104 may beconnected to other systems, possibly including other networks, notexplicitly shown in FIG. 1. A network will normally be transmitting atvery least some sort of paging and system information on an ongoingbasis, even if there is no actual packet data exchanged. Although thenetwork consists of many parts, these parts all work together to resultin certain behaviours at the wireless link.

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a preferred mobile station 202.Mobile station 202 is preferably a two-way communication device havingat least voice and advanced data communication capabilities, includingthe capability to communicate with other computer systems. Depending onthe functionality provided by mobile station 202, it may be referred toas a data messaging device, a two-way pager, a cellular telephone withdata messaging capabilities, a wireless Internet appliance, or a datacommunication device (with or without telephony capabilities). Mobilestation 202 may communicate with any one of a plurality of base stationtransceiver systems 200 within its geographic coverage area.

Mobile station 202 will normally incorporate a communication subsystem211, which includes a receiver 212, a transmitter 214, and associatedcomponents, such as one or more (preferably embedded or internal)antenna elements 216 and 218, local oscillators (LOs) 213, and aprocessing module such as a digital signal processor (DSP) 220.Communication subsystem 211 is analogous to RF transceiver circuitry 108and antenna 110 shown in FIG. 1. As will be apparent to those skilled infield of communications, particular design of communication subsystem211 depends on the communication network in which mobile station 202 isintended to operate.

Mobile station 202 may send and receive communication signals over thenetwork after required network registration or activation procedureshave been completed. Signals received by antenna 216 through the networkare input to receiver 212, which may perform such common receiverfunctions as signal amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering,channel selection, and like, and in example shown in FIG. 2,analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. A/D conversion of a received signalallows more complex communication functions such as demodulation anddecoding to be performed in DSP 220. In a similar manner, signals to betransmitted are processed, including modulation and encoding, forexample, by DSP 220. These DSP-processed signals are input totransmitter 214 for digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, frequency upconversion, filtering, amplification and transmission over communicationnetwork via antenna 218. DSP 220 not only processes communicationsignals, but also provides for receiver and transmitter control. Forexample, the gains applied to communication signals in receiver 212 andtransmitter 214 may be adaptively controlled through automatic gaincontrol algorithms implemented in DSP 220.

Network access is associated with a subscriber or user of mobile station202, and therefore mobile station 202 requires a memory module 262, suchas a Subscriber Identity Module or “SIM” card or a Removable UserIdentity Module (R-UIM), to be inserted in or connected to an interface264 of mobile station 202 in order to operate in the network.Alternatively, memory module 262 may be a non-volatile memory which isprogrammed with configuration data by a service provider so that mobilestation 202 may operate in the network. Since mobile station 202 is amobile battery-powered device, it also includes a battery interface 254for receiving one or more rechargeable batteries 256. Such a battery 256provides electrical power to most if not all electrical circuitry inmobile station 202, and battery interface 254 provides for a mechanicaland electrical connection for it. The battery interface 254 is coupledto a regulator (not shown in FIG. 2) which provides power V+ to all ofthe circuitry.

Mobile station 202 includes a microprocessor 238 (which is oneimplementation of controller 106 of FIG. 1) which controls overalloperation of mobile station 202. This control includes network selectiontechniques of the present application. Communication functions,including at least data and voice communications, are performed throughcommunication subsystem 211. Microprocessor 238 also interacts withadditional device subsystems such as a display 222, a flash memory 224,a random access memory (RAM) 226, auxiliary input/output (I/O)subsystems 228, a serial port 230, a keyboard 232, a speaker 234, amicrophone 236, a short-range communications subsystem 240, and anyother device subsystems generally designated at 242. Some of thesubsystems shown in FIG. 2 perform communication-related functions,whereas other subsystems may provide “resident” or on-device functions.Notably, some subsystems, such as keyboard 232 and display 222, forexample, may be used for both communication-related functions, such asentering a text message for transmission over a communication network,and device-resident functions such as a calculator or task list.Operating system software used by microprocessor 238 is preferablystored in a persistent store such as flash memory 224, which mayalternatively be a read-only memory (ROM) or similar storage element(not shown). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the operatingsystem, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may betemporarily loaded into a volatile store such as RAM 226.

Microprocessor 238, in addition to its operating system functions,preferably enables execution of software applications on mobile station202. A predetermined set of applications which control basic deviceoperations, including at least data and voice communicationapplications, will normally be installed on mobile station 202 duringits manufacture. A preferred application that may be loaded onto mobilestation 202 may be a personal information manager (PIM) applicationhaving the ability to organize and manage data items relating to usersuch as, but not limited to, e-mail, calendar events, voice mails,appointments, and task items. Naturally, one or more memory stores areavailable on mobile station 202 and SIM 262 to facilitate storage of PIMdata items and other information.

The PIM application preferably has the ability to send and receive dataitems via the wireless network. In a preferred embodiment, PIM dataitems are seamlessly integrated, synchronized, and updated via thewireless network, with the mobile station user's corresponding dataitems stored and/or associated with a host computer system therebycreating a mirrored host computer on mobile station 202 with respect tosuch items. This is especially advantageous where the host computersystem is the mobile station user's office computer system. Additionalapplications may also be loaded onto mobile station 202 through network,an auxiliary I/O subsystem 228, serial port 230, short-rangecommunications subsystem 240, or any other suitable subsystem 242, andinstalled by a user in RAM 226 or preferably a non-volatile store (notshown) for execution by microprocessor 238. Such flexibility inapplication installation increases the functionality of mobile station202 and may provide enhanced on-device functions, communication-relatedfunctions, or both. For example, secure communication applications mayenable electronic commerce functions and other such financialtransactions to be performed using mobile station 202.

In a data communication mode, a received signal such as a text message,an e-mail message, or web page download will be processed bycommunication subsystem 211 and input to microprocessor 238.Microprocessor 238 will preferably further process the signal for outputto display 222 or alternatively to auxiliary I/O device 228. A user ofmobile station 202 may also compose data items, such as e-mail messages,for example, using keyboard 232 in conjunction with display 222 andpossibly auxiliary I/O device 228. Keyboard 232 is preferably a completealphanumeric keyboard and/or telephone-type keypad. These composed itemsmay be transmitted over a communication network through communicationsubsystem 211.

For voice communications, the overall operation of mobile station 202 issubstantially similar, except that the received signals would be outputto speaker 234 and signals for transmission would be generated bymicrophone 236. Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as avoice message recording subsystem, may also be implemented on mobilestation 202. Although voice or audio signal output is preferablyaccomplished primarily through speaker 234, display 222 may also be usedto provide an indication of the identity of a calling party, duration ofa voice call, or other voice call related information, as some examples.

Serial port 230 in FIG. 2 is normally implemented in a personal digitalassistant (PDA)-type communication device for which synchronization witha user's desktop computer is a desirable, albeit optional, component.Serial port 230 enables a user to set preferences through an externaldevice or software application and extends the capabilities of mobilestation 202 by providing for information or software downloads to mobilestation 202 other than through a wireless communication network. Thealternate download path may, for example, be used to load an encryptionkey onto mobile station 202 through a direct and thus reliable andtrusted connection to thereby provide secure device communication.

Short-range communications subsystem 240 of FIG. 2 is an additionaloptional component which provides for communication between mobilestation 202 and different systems or devices, which need not necessarilybe similar devices. For example, subsystem 240 may include an infrareddevice and associated circuits and components, or a Bluetooth™communication module to provide for communication with similarly-enabledsystems and devices. Bluetooth™ is a registered trademark of BluetoothSIG, Inc.

Mobile station 202 may be adapted to provide instant messaging (IM)communications via programming instructions and data stored or otherwiseavailable to the device 202. Instant messaging provides a conversationaldialog typically involving the exchange of text messages between a userof device 202 and at least one other user of another device (not shown)adapted for IM communication. As persons of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate, an IM system or “presence and instant messaging system”allows users to subscribe to each other and be notified of changes instate (e.g. availability for instant message communication) and forusers to send each other short instant messages. IM is discussed infurther detail in “RFC 2778-—A Model for Presence and InstantMessaging”, maintained by the Internet Society and available athttp://www.faqs.org/rfcs/rfc2778.html. As such, adapted mobile station202 provides a user agent for IM communication in an IM system.

FIG. 10 illustrates components 1000, typically comprising instructionsand data that may be stored to flash memory 224 and/or RAM 226, foradapting station 202. Components 1000 comprise, broadly. IM management1002, graphical user interface (GUI) 1004, contacts list 1006, contactlist entries for current conversations 1008, contact list entries forcurrent games 1010, IM game applications 1012, a game in progress 1014and an IM Messages buffer 1015 comprising messages for currentconversation 1 and 2 (1016 and 1018) and game in progress 1020. IMmanagement component 1002 provides presence and IM communicationfunctions for the user (e.g. a user having the name “Mike”) of themobile station 202. IM Messages may be communicated for text-basedconversations with buddies or for other uses such as IM gameapplications 1012.

GUI 1004 provides support for a contact list-oriented interface forcontrolling aspects of the presence and IM functions using list ofcontacts 1006. Additional contact list entries include entries forcurrent conversations 1006 and current games (i.e. a designate for agame in progress (1014) with another contact). Other contact listentries may include group entries for organizing individual contacts,and pending or unavailable contacts in accordance with presenceinformation (not shown in FIG. 10).

IM Game applications 1012 provide specific turn-based game play for theuser and one or more contacts. Some may be played alone against anotional user such as a computer. Game applications may be implementedin the Java™ language and receive support from a Java-oriented operatingsystem on device 202. A particular game in progress may be representedby associated game-in-progress data 1014 for the game and associatedgame-in-progress messages 1020. An IM game application (e.g. one of1012) may include a manner to invoke the application, initiating a GUIfor the game and any necessary data, etc. for beginning a game. Gameplaying may be conducted and paused, as desired, such as by exiting theGUI for the game in favor of another GUI such as the GUI 1004.Game-in-progress data 1014 may be maintained to resume the game upon are-invocation of the GUI for the game. Persons of ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that some game applications may support only onegame in progress at any one time (i.e. not support multiple instances ofgame play of the same game). However, some may permit two or more gamesin progress.

In accordance with the present matter, a contact list entry may bedefined to designate a game in progress. As such, the entry may be usedby GUI 1004 to switch to GUI for a game application 1012 usinggame-in-progress data 1014 or to switch contexts such as from a IMmessage conversation context to a game in progress.

As will be understood to those of ordinary skill in the art, it issometimes difficult to make bright-line distinctions between componentssuch as, IM management and GUI components 1002 and 1004 orgame-in-progress data 1014, gap application 1012 and game-in-progressmessages 1020. As well, it is understood that the components 1000interface with other components (not shown) on or for mobile station 202such as operating system, communication sub-system, PIM components, etc.

FIG. 3 illustrates a representative view 300 of an IM screen provided bya GUI 1004 for an IM application 1002. The view 300 includes a titleportion 302 showing “Mike's Contact List” and presents a contact list303 interface comprising list entries, in particular, contact-listentries for current conversations 304, current games 306, individualcontacts 308, a group of contacts 310, unavailable contacts 312 andpending contacts 314. It will be understood that view 300 provides ahierarchical list in a form which permits expansion and contraction oflist items via elements 316 (“+”) and 318 (“−”). Contacts may compriseindividual user contacts 308 or group contacts 310 (e.g.FridayLunchGroup) for assisting with the organization of contacts withinthe IM application. Contacts may also be grouped by presenceinformation. Contact group 312 comprises a list of those contacts whichare presently unavailable for IM communications, while group 314 shows alist of those contacts who are pending the resolution of an invitationto join Mike's list of contacts in accordance with the subscriptionaspects of IM.

View 300 of Mike's Contacts may be traversed by a user by moving a focusabout the view to interact with various elements of the GUI such as theexpansion elements or individual items of the list. The focus may beindicated in various ways such as by reverse video mode, etc. Traversalor other navigation may be facilitated by input devices such as arrowkeys, trackwheel, trackball, pointing device, etc. Once a particularelement is selected by a user of the mobile station 202, particularcommand options may be invoked. Options may be presented via one or moremenus or invoked through predefined keystrokes etc. common in the art.

FIG. 3 shows entry 304 of contact list 303 for designating currentconversations that the user is conducting. In the present example, thereare two current conversations with contacts “Rosa” and “StephanieB”shown in FIG. 4. In accordance with this embodiment, there is also showncontact list entry 306 for designating current games in progress thatthe user is conducting with a contact. In the present example, there isone current game in progress with contact “StephanieB” shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 illustrates a representative IM view 400 of contact list 303 inwhich the entries current conversations 304 and current games 306 areexpanded to show individual list elements 304A-304B and 306Arespectively for designating specific current conversations or games inprogress. Navigational element 402 indicates that additional contactlist entries or items appear off screen below. The entries in thecontact list 303 may be navigated such as by moving the focus up anddown the screen (not shown). Appropriate entries may be expanded orcollapsed. Specific contacts may be selected and invoked to initiate anassociated GUI.

Current conversation 304A designates a conversation with the contact“Rosa” while 304B designates a conversation with the contact“StephanieB”. These respective contact-list elements 304A and 304B maybe selected and activated (whether by a menu interface or by clicking anenter key for example) to invoke a view (e.g. 500 of FIG. 5) of GUI 1004for conducting a conversation.

Current game list element 306A designates a current game in progresswith a contact, namely “StephanieB”, one of the contacts with whom theuser is also in a current conversation. A person of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate that in many instances it will not be necessaryor desired to have a current conversation and a game in progress activesimultaneously with the same contact. A IM game may be conducted withoutconducting an associated IM text-based conversation with the contact.

This respective contact-list element 306A may be selected and activated(whether by a menu interface or by clicking an enter key for example) toinvoke a view (e.g. 600 of FIG. 6) of a GUI for the respective IM gameapplication 1012 for conducting the game in progress 1014.

View 400 further comprises an optional graphic element 404 for providinga visual metaphor for the game in progress, in this case a game ofcheckers.

FIG. 5A illustrates a representative IM view 500 of a currentconversation with contact “StephanieB” and comprises a title portion 502for indicating the contact and a message-history portion 504 for showingan exchange of messages and optional delivery and reply status 506 forthe messages. A message-composition portion 508 with a cursor 510 isalso provided with which to compose IM messages to the contact.

FIG. 5B illustrates a second representative IM view 520 of a currentconversation interface with contact “StephanieB”. As a new move isreceived from the contact in the associated game in progress, anotification of the new move 522 is presented in the conversation screen(e.g. portion 504) in a manner similar to how a new message ispresented. The user may then select and open or switch (not shown) tothe game in progress from the conversation interface 520.

FIG. 6A shows a representative view 600 for a checkers game. In thepresent embodiment, a portion 602 of view 600 provides an IM gameapplication interface to the game in progress, for example, visualizingthe results of the game moves. Optionally, view 600 may comprise aportion 604 providing an interface to an IM conversation between theplayers. The portion 604 may be provided by IM GUI 1004. The portion 604may comprise a field for entering IM messages, viewing IM messages (e.g.in a short list) or both. Alternatively (not shown), rather thandividing view 600 into distinct parts, IM conversation view portion 604may be rendered over top of view 600 (e.g. to display new messages of anassociated IM conversation for a limited period of time over game view602).

FIG. 6B illustrates a view 606 of a menu invocation manner for invokinga switch to an IM GUI to conduct a conversation with or send a messageto an opposing player (or players). In the embodiment of view 606, an IMConversation View portion 604 is not provided. A focus may be moved inmenu 608 to select a command such as 610 to switch to a conversationscreen (e.g. FIG. 5) or 612 to invoke a message input interface (notshown).

FIG. 7A shows a view 700 illustrating a further embodiment of acontact-list 703 for presenting contact list elements as designates ofgames in progress. In the present embodiment, a separate contact listelement for grouping contacts for games currently in progress (e.g.element 306) is not provided. Rather, contacts designating games inprogress are presented in the user's contacts element 308. Thus contactlist 703 interface shows contacts element 308 expanded to presentrepresentative contacts 308A-308E. Similarly to contact element 306A ofFIG. 4, contact element 308E of FIG. 7 designates a current game inprogress with a contact, namely “StephanieB”. This respectivecontact-list element 308E may be selected and activated (whether by amenu interface or by clicking an enter key for example) to invoke a view(e.g. 600 of FIG. 6) of a GUI for the respective IM game application1012 for conducting the game in progress 1014. It is noted that aspectsof the embodiment of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 and the embodiment of FIG. 7 maybe implemented such that a contact element designating a game inprogress may be defined for presentation in a separate group of suchcontacts (element 306) and in the group of contacts (308) or otherwise(not shown), such as individually within the contact list.

FIG. 7B illustrates a view 710 of contact list 703 depicting contacts308 in an embodiment where a single individual contact element (e.g.704) may represent a contact element for both IM conversation and IMgame purposes rather than use separate elements (e.g. 308D and 308E ofFIG. 7A). To indicate that an new or unread move exists in theassociated game, graphical element 404 is amended (706). Other mannersof indicating new moves may be employed such as by displaying agraphical element in title portion 302 or display contact 308 with theadditional description “unread move”, etc. Such an indication of newmoves may also be used with the embodiment of FIG. 3-5.

FIG. 8A illustrates a view 800 of a menu invocation manner for invokinga switch to a game GUI from the contact list GUI 1004 using the contactlist of FIG. 7A as an example. A focus may be moved to a contactdesignating a game such as 308E and a menu 802 invoked to select a menuoption 804 to open the game in progress 1014 (i.e. view 600) designatedby the contact-list element 308E. FIG. 8B illustrates a view 810 of amenu invocation manner for invoking a switch to a game GUI from thecontact list GUI 1004 using the contact list of FIG. 7B as an example. Afocus may be moved to a contact designating a game and conversation suchas 704 and a menu 806 invoked to select a menu option 804 to open thegame in progress 1014 (i.e. view 600) designated by the contact-listelement 704 or a menu option 806 to open the conversation in progressassociated with the contact-list element 704, among other choices.

Other menu options (not shown) may include “open conversation” such aswhen a selected contact has an associated current conversation.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate operations 900 and 920 of IM management 1002for using an IM contact element as a designate for a game in progress,for example, to enable a convenient interface to switch between an IMconversation and an IM game.

Operations 900 provide a general overview of the use of a contact listelement to designate a game in progress. In the example of FIG. 9A, theoperations 900 represent steps for a first user to initiate a game witha second user. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatsimilar operations (not shown) may be performed for the second user whopartakes in the game initiated by the first user.

At step 902, a first user starts an IM game with a contact (i.e. thesecond user). The contact may be requested to download the IM game froma source (not shown). In accordance with presence information andsubscription mechanisms, the contact may respond to the invitation.Similarly the user of device 202 (i.e. the first user) may accept aninvitation.

At step 904, a contact list element, sometimes referenced as a buddyfield or entry, is used to designate the game in progress. The entry maythen be used in a GUI for managing and communicating with contacts toinvoke a GUI for the associated game in progress. In one embodiment,such a contact list element may be defined for grouping as a currentgames contact. In one embodiment, such a contact list element may bedefined for presentation with individual contacts useful for invokingconversations. As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 7A and 8A, the contact element(306A or 308E) designating the game may be illustrated separately andadditionally to an existing contact element (e.g. 308D) for invoking aconversation with the second user. As illustrated in FIGS. 7B and 8B, anexisting contact list entry (e.g. element 308D) may be used andassociated with the game and a modified contact element 704 used toillustrate the game in progress and provide an interface to the game anda conversation from the contact list 703.

Upon the end of the game in progress (step 906), the use of the contactlist element as a game-in-progress designate may be stopped (step 908).For example, element 308E may be removed from contact list 703 in theembodiment of FIGS. 7A and 8A, or elements 306 and 306A removed from thelist 303 of FIG. 4 or an association with a game removed from a contactelement and a modified contact element (e.g. 704) replaced with astandard contact element (e.g. 308D) in the embodiment of FIGS. 7B and8B.

FIG. 9B illustrates operations 920 providing a simplified embodiment forconducting step 904 whereby a contact-list entry is created for groupingunder a current-games contact group in a contact-list interface such asis shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. To use a contact-list entry to designatea game in progress, a contact-list entry is defined (step 922) andassociated with the contact with whom the game in progress is beingplayed. Contact information may be determined from this contact'sexisting contact entry. The contact-list entry is also associated withthe particular game in progress (e.g. via a pointer or table etc.) tofacilitate the invocation of a GUI for the game. The contact entry mayalso include an association with a graphic for displaying with thecontact entry designating the game.

When displaying the contact-list (i.e. when GUI 1004 is used by theuser), the current game contact-list entry is shown in the current-gamegroup of contacts in response to various user input (for example,navigation of the contact list interface and expansion of thecurrent-games group element in that interface). The user may use thecontact-list interface to invoke and conduct IM conversations (orcontinue to conduct an existing IM conversation) with the same contactwith whom the user is playing the game or with another contact orcontacts. The user may select and invoke the entry designating the gamein progress. Other IM operations may also be performed (not shown).

Thus in response to certain pre-requisite user input such as menu drivencommands or pre-determined keystrokes, etc. (step 928) operations 920may branch to perform respective operations. In the simplified view,there are shown steps 930 and 932 for invoking a view of an IMconversation using a contract entry (e.g. an entry of a currentconversation group) and returning to the contact list interface view atstep 926 and steps 934 and 936 for invoking a view of the game inprogress using an entry of the current-games group and returning to thecontact list interface view at step 926. Persons of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate that further operations may be performed.Moreover, should an IM game end, operations 920 stop to continue viastep 906.

Operations 940, similarly to operations 920, may be conducted for otherembodiments such as that illustrated in FIG. 7B. Rather than define acurrent-game contact list entry, an existing contact entry for theopposing player (308D) may be used, associating that entry with the gamein progress (step 942). When displaying the contact list view, aseparate current-game contact entry (306) need not be used and thegame-in-progress designate (e.g. 308D as replaced with 704) may bedisplayed with other contacts in contact list 308 (Step 946). Inresponse to user input (step 948), the game in progress may be invokedat step 950 using the designate 704 or a conversation with the opposingplayer invoked (step 954) using the same designate 704. Operationsreturn to the contact list (i.e. toward step 946) at respective steps952 and 956.

Various storage schemes (e.g. linked lists) and memory allocationschemes for IM conversations 1016 1018 and game messages 1020 may beemployed. Particular game messages may be linked to game-in-progressdata 1014 and to a specific contact entry 1010 for designating a game inprogress via pointers or other known techniques for associating onestructure with another. Game progress may also be encapsulated into abinary IM message with an identifier to associate the binary data withthe game application (not shown).

While discussed with reference to a handheld mobile device such as asmart PDA or smart phone, IM applications may be implemented on othercomputing devices such as personal computers (laptops, desktops),workstations and the like configured for network communications. IMapplications and IM games are commercially available (e.g. AIM™ fromAOL, Yahoo! Messenger™, MSN Messenger™., etc.) for many platforms suchas PCs with various Windows®. or Windows compatible operating systemswith sufficient memory and video capabilities. Additional softwarerequirements may include an Internet browser and plug-ins and supportfor Java (e.g. JVM or plug-in support) as well as an available Internetconnection.

The above-described embodiments are intended to be examples only. Thoseof skill in the art may effect alterations, modifications and variationsto the particular embodiments without departing from the scope of theapplication. The subject matter described herein in the recited claimsintends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of enabling a game to be played onan electronic device, the method comprising: enabling a game applicationon the electronic device to utilize a contact list for an instantmessaging application for playing games with contacts in the contactlist by identifying game play in the contact list; during a game inprogress with a particular contact in the contact list, preparing gamemessages to be sent to the particular contact by including game progressdata in an instant messaging message and an identifier to associate thedata with the game application; communicating at least one game messageduring the game in progress with the particular contact using an instantmessaging system used by the instant messaging application; displayingat least one instant message in an instant messaging conversation userinterface associated with the particular contact indicative of gameprogress, the instant messaging conversation user interface enablingadditional instant messages to be sent to the particular contact inaddition to instant messages indicating game play; and displaying a gamein progress user interface associated with the game play, afterdetecting a selection in the instant messaging conversation userinterface to switch to the game in progress.
 2. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising maintaining the game progress data based onthe game messages.
 3. The method according to claim 2, furthercomprising updating the game progress data upon communicating a gamemessage.
 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingassociating a contact list entry in the contact list with a game inprogress associated with the game messages.
 5. The method according toclaim 4, further comprising displaying the game in progress userinterface upon detecting selection of the contact list entry associatedwith the game in progress.
 6. The method according to claim 5, furthercomprising maintaining the game progress data upon switching away fromthe game in progress user interface to enable the game in progress to beresumed upon a re-invocation of the game in progress user interface. 7.The method according to claim 6, further comprising, upon the game inprogress ending, removing the game in progress association with thecontact list entry.
 8. The method according to claim 4, furthercomprising displaying a notification of a new move received for the gamein progress in a new game message.
 9. A non-transitory computer readablestorage medium comprising computer executable instructions for enablinga game to be played on an electronic device, the computer readablemedium comprising instructions for: enabling a game application on theelectronic device to utilize a contact list for an instant messagingapplication for playing games with contacts in the contact list byidentifying game play in the contact list; during a game in progresswith a particular contact in the contact list, preparing game messagesto be sent to the particular contact by including game progress data inan instant messaging message and an identifier to associate the datawith the game application; communicating at least one game messageduring the game in progress with the particular contact using an instantmessaging system used by the instant messaging application; displayingat least one instant message in an instant messaging conversation userinterface associated with the particular contact indicative of gameprogress, the instant messaging conversation user interface enablingadditional instant messages to be sent to the particular contact inaddition to instant messages indicating game play; and displaying a gamein progress user interface associated with the game play, afterdetecting a selection in the instant messaging conversation userinterface to switch to the game in progress.
 10. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium according to claim 9, furthercomprising instructions for maintaining the game progress data based onthe game messages.
 11. The non-transitory computer readable storagemedium according to claim 10, the computer readable storage mediumfurther comprising instructions for updating the game progress data uponcommunicating a game message.
 12. The non-transitory computer readablestorage medium according to claim 9, further comprising instructions forassociating a contact list entry in the contact list with a game inprogress associated with the game messages.
 13. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium according to claim 12, furthercomprising instructions for displaying the game in progress userinterface upon detecting selection of the contact list entry associatedwith the game in progress.
 14. The non-transitory computer readablestorage medium according to claim 13, further comprising instructionsfor maintaining the game progress data upon switching away from the gamein progress user interface to enable the game in progress to be resumedupon a re-invocation of the game in progress user interface.
 15. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 14,further comprising instructions for, upon the game in progress ending,removing the game in progress association with the contact list entry.16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according toclaim 12, further comprising instructions for displaying a notificationof a new move received for the game in progress in a new game message.17. An electronic device comprising a processor, display, an instantmessaging application, and a memory, the memory storing computerexecutable instructions for enabling a game to be played on theelectronic device, the computer executable instructions comprisinginstructions for: enabling a game application on the electronic deviceto utilize a contact list for an instant messaging application forplaying games with contacts in the contact list by identifying game playin the contact list; during a game in progress with a particular contactin the contact list, preparing game messages to be sent to theparticular contact by including game progress data in an instantmessaging message and an identifier to associate the data with the gameapplication; communicating at least one game message during the game inprogress with the particular contact using an instant messaging systemused by the instant messaging application; displaying at least oneinstant message in an instant messaging conversation user interfaceassociated with the particular contact indicative of game progress, theinstant messaging conversation user interface enabling additionalinstant messages to be sent to the particular contact in addition toinstant messages indicating game play; and displaying a game in progressuser interface associated with the game play, after detecting aselection in the instant messaging conversation user interface to switchto the game in progress.
 18. The electronic device according to claim17, further comprising instructions for maintaining the game progressdata based on the game messages.
 19. The electronic device according toclaim 18, the memory further comprising instructions for updating thegame progress data upon communicating a game message.
 20. The electronicdevice according to claim 17, further comprising instructions forassociating a contact list entry in the contact list with a game inprogress associated with the game messages.
 21. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 20, further comprising instructions for displayingthe game in progress user interface upon detecting selection of thecontact list entry associated with the game in progress.
 22. Theelectronic device according to claim 21, further comprising instructionsfor maintaining the game progress data upon switching away from the gamein progress user interface to enable the game in progress to be resumedupon a re-invocation of the game in progress user interface.
 23. Theelectronic device according to claim 22, further comprising instructionsfor, upon the game in progress ending, removing the game in progressassociation with the contact list entry.
 24. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 20, further comprising instructions for displaying anotification of a new move received for the game in progress in a newgame message.